See Ya Later, Social Life

I suppose, as this is my first official Exam Cram post, I should introduce myself:

My name is Lauryn and I am a staff accountant with WithumSmith+Brown in Red Bank, NJ. I graduated May of 2011 from Georgian Court University, on a Friday, and began taking a Becker CPA Exam Review class the following Monday. Needless to say, the lack of break probably wasn't the best move on my part as I did not pass my first round of exams. You see, I am not the type of person who can read something out of a book and memorize it. I need real-world experience in order to really feel comfortable with a concept. So here I am, first tax season behind me (and appropriately documented) and ready to once again jump into the jungle that is studying for the CPA exam. Current task? Audit, with an exam date of July 6th.

I am a little behind on posting as I have been studying for about three weeks now. I gave myself ten weeks to study. I think, during my first round of exams, I rushed myself and sat for tests I wasn't necessarily ready for. This time around, I am giving myself a week-and-a-half per chapter, with plenty of time for a final review.

My strategy this time around is to re-read all of the chapters, watch all of the Becker videos, and answer all of the questions. I read somewhere that if you keep telling yourself, "All I need is a 75%," you won't pass. You have to aim for 100%! That way, if you mess up a little, you still have some wiggle room. If I don't do well on a set of questions (which has only happened once so far, thank God) I plan on skipping that set and coming back to it during final review. I would like to use that time to really dive in to the topics that I don't understand. I also plan on asking my co-workers about these topics. I find that I learn more when I talk something out -- so hopefully I can find someone who can talk out the tricky concepts with me!

I plan on starting chapter three today, which is sure to be challenging with Memorial Day weekend BBQ's clogging up my calendar. I have a huge stack of flashcards I'll be toting along with me if I do venture out of the house. Yes, I will be that girl at the party! I'm hoping I can make a decent dent in my study schedule over the three-day weekend even if that means kissing my social life goodbye. Next post, I'll try to include some of the challenges I stumble upon on the road to the exam. Maybe I'm not the only one!

Here's to conquering Memorial Day Weekend.

Wish me luck!

Lauryn

Comments

[Dan C.]

Hi Lauryn,
I have a couple of questions for you. (1) How do you like it at Withum? I actually worked there as a Sr. Accountant in their Morristown office for a little over 2 years. Nice people and a good working environment. (2) Are you related to Patrick Hanrahan? He was a police officer in Newark NJ. Good Luck to you on your exams and your career in Accounting.

Regards,
Dan

[Lauryn]

Hi Dan!
To answer your questions: (1) I really love working at Withum. You're right, there are a lot of nice and intelligent people and I think it makes for an excellent working environment. (2) I am realted to a Patrick Hanrahan, but not the one you are thinking of. Mine is 20-years-old and was never a police officer.
Thanks for reading.